I started to get major migraines during the last few months of my senior year at TCU. So with a little help from a family friend (who just happens to be a top doc at Johns Hopkins), I got the right meds and was advised to ween myself off of caffeine. If you know me at all, you’ll know that it wasn’t easy. See, I’m a Starbucks junkie… literally, I’m in there EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. I walk in and they’re already making my drink (which is now a decaf grande Americano with room, thankyouverymuch). I’m friends with most of the baristas, we trade book recs and even hang out away from the ‘Bucks (gasp!). Even though I function pretty well without it, I miss the caffeine. I’m sure it’s just my imagination, though. 
So when I read over the recipe for these Hepburn brownies, I did a happy dance and knew exactly how I was going to change ‘em up. Since I’ve kicked the good stuff (read: caffeine), I decided to go all out with a little jolt… dark chocolate cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate and espresso powder. Talk about caffeine overload. YUM!!
A big caffeine-induced “thank you” to Lisa of Surviving Oz (the creator of our fab new logo!) for this week’s pick!
Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies (pg. 96-97)
Source: Baking – From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I love coffee too, impossible to live without! Wonderful brownies!
Yeah, I gave up drinking coffee this summer and it was not easy, but these brownies look like they brought back a good jolt! They look fantastic!
Caffeine triggers my migraines, too, so I make my own brew at home…75% Peet’s decaf French Roast and 25% Peet’s French Roast. I get a tiny bit of caffeine without living in a dark room three days a month. I’m glad you made these with the espresso powder and enjoyed them!
Decaf isn’t so bad, though – at least you still get your ‘bucks everyday!
Great looking brownies, J!
Oh my gosh those look amazing. I need something chocolate in my kitchen right now…:)
I love your brownies. They look so dark and delicious. YUM.
Omg those look incredible!
Look how dark and handsome your brownies are!
I remembered my caffeine college addiction. Good times, right? Most of my friends are STILL Starbucks junkies, despite the recession!
I figured there would be brownie baking going on over here this week. Yep, just knew it. Those are really really rich and chocolatey!
Wow, those look so rich and decadent! I’ll take mine with a tall glass of milk, please…
Coffee and Chocolate-love the combination. Your brownies look super gooey good.
I love the dark cocoa powder. These look great!
Holy Moly! Those are some seriously dark brownies!
I like them.
See now THAT’s the way I like my caffeine–CHOCOLATE! Your brownies look awesome. I made these four times and LOVE them! Great new, easy go-to brownies, if ya ask me.
Wow, you’re brownies look delish! Much thicker than mine were.
These look fantastic. I want one.
Wow! These are truly intensely dark brownies! I bet they gave you a jolt!
They sure are dark! They look fantastic though.
Your brownies look perfect! Glad you enjoyed them!
I hear you on the coffee shop addiction. I go to this local place called Mocha Madness and let me tell you it’s my MAD addiction. I drink chai tea and like you every day it’s ready for me when I walk in the door!!
Your brownies look so good and dark!
Of all of the brownies I’ve been seeing, I haven’t seen any quite as dark or tempting!! Fantastic.
yum! Great looking brownies! My mom would be all over those (she’s a dark chocolate junkie)!
I also gave up coffee, almost a year ago. But no decaf, it’s too near the real thing. But I still cook with it. It really enhances the chocolate. Glad you enjoyed!
Love you story and glad you don’t let a little fun get you down. Living on the edge can be a little funsy too. Take care of the noggin though. Great brownies aren’t they?
AmyRuth
Your brownies look so dark and rich! I’m glad you enjoyed them! I tried to give up caffeine a few years ago and it was not pretty. Needless to say, I failed…
WOW!!! Look at those deep dark,dense brownies. Fantastic.
Those brownies look like they deliver quite the jolt of chocolate-y deliciousness! I hope they didn’t induce a migraine. My migraines have no (known) trigger, so I haven’t had to make food sacrifices.
those sound amazing!!! love your variations